If you're working out when to sign up for or change your Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plan for 2027, the window is shorter this year. On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment for 2027 runs November 1 to December 15, 2026, and coverage starts January 1, 2027. If you miss it, a life change like losing coverage can give you 60 days to enroll.
It's common to find different dates on different websites. Some of that is because the dates changed for 2027. Below are the dates that apply now and what to do if they've already passed for you.
When can I sign up for or change my ACA plan for 2027?
Open enrollment is the yearly window when anyone can buy a health plan or switch plans. You do this through the marketplace. That's HealthCare.gov in most states, or your state's own website.
For 2027, open enrollment is shorter than in past years, which ran into January. According to HealthCare.gov's 2027 renewal page, the last day to enroll on HealthCare.gov is now the same as the deadline for January 1 coverage.
Key date | HealthCare.gov states | States with their own marketplace |
|---|---|---|
Open enrollment starts | November 1, 2026 | Set by your state |
Deadline for January 1, 2027 coverage | December 15, 2026 | Set by your state |
Last day to enroll | December 15, 2026 | Set by your state, and may be later |
Do I have to do anything if I already have a marketplace plan?
You aren't required to act. If you do nothing, the marketplace usually re-enrolls you in the same plan or one like it, so you stay covered. That doesn't mean you'll pay the same price.
Plans change their premiums every year. Your premium tax credit can change too. That's the discount that lowers your monthly bill, and it's based on your income and household size. If your income, address, or household changed this year, update your application during open enrollment. Then compare plans before December 15.
Credits for 2027 also follow different rules than people saw a few years ago. Our guide to how ACA subsidies work explains what changed and who still qualifies.
What if my state runs its own marketplace?
Some states run their own marketplace instead of using HealthCare.gov. Those states set their own open enrollment dates. Some give you more time after December 15, and others don't.
Check your state's marketplace for its 2027 dates before you plan around the HealthCare.gov dates. For how to apply where you live, your state's marketplace is the best place to start, and you can also browse the Turnout blog. If you're in Texas, which uses HealthCare.gov, see our guide to applying for ACA insurance in Texas.
What if I miss the open enrollment deadline?
You may still be able to enroll through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). An SEP is a window outside open enrollment that opens after certain life changes. For most changes, you get 60 days from the date of the change to pick a plan.
Losing coverage gives you more room. HealthCare.gov says you can pick a plan up to 60 days before your old coverage ends or up to 60 days after.
Say your job ends and your work coverage stops on the last day of March. If you pick a plan before then, your new plan can start the next day, with no gap. If your employer coverage ended during a disability leave, our article on whether your employer can cancel your health insurance during disability covers that situation.
A few rules from HealthCare.gov's Special Enrollment Period page are worth knowing:
- Dropping coverage on purpose doesn't open an SEP. Neither does losing a plan because premiums weren't paid.
- Proof may be required. The marketplace can ask for documents that confirm your change, like a letter from your old insurer.
- Start dates vary. Coverage usually starts the first day of the month after you pick a plan. For a birth or adoption, it can start the day of the event.
Which life changes count as a qualifying life event?
A qualifying life event is the change that opens your SEP. HealthCare.gov keeps the full list of qualifying life events. Most fall into four groups.
Type of change | Examples |
|---|---|
Losing health coverage | Losing job-based coverage, losing Medicaid, aging off a parent's plan |
Household changes | Getting married, having or adopting a baby, a divorce or death that ends your coverage |
Moving | Moving to a new ZIP code or county |
Other changes | Becoming a US citizen, leaving jail or prison, some income changes |
If you're moving, there's an extra rule. You usually need to have had health coverage for at least one day in the 60 days before your move. There are exceptions, so check the list if this applies to you.
Can I get Medicaid outside open enrollment?
Yes, Medicaid takes applications all year. So does the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which covers kids in families that earn too much for Medicaid.
If your income drops in the middle of the year, you can apply for Medicaid right away. You don't need to wait for November or have a qualifying life event. Income limits and rules vary by state, so check your state's Medicaid agency for the requirements where you live. You can also browse our Health Advocate articles.
What this means for you
- If you use HealthCare.gov, put November 1 and December 15, 2026 on your calendar.
- If you already have a plan, update your income and household during open enrollment, then compare plans.
- If your state runs its own marketplace, look up its 2027 dates. They may differ.
- If your life changes, write down the date. Your 60 days count from it.
- If your income is low, apply for Medicaid anytime.
You can talk to a person at the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. You can also reach our team through the contact options listed on our website.
FAQ
I missed December 15. Can I still get a plan for 2027?
You might still have a way in. If your state runs its own marketplace, its window may still be open. If not, you'll need a qualifying life event or Medicaid eligibility, so check your state's dates first.
Will my plan just renew if I do nothing?
In most cases it will. The marketplace often re-enrolls you in the same or a similar plan, but your price and tax credit can change. Log in during open enrollment and check your 2027 costs.
Do I have to prove my life change?
The marketplace can ask you to. It may want documents such as a letter from your old insurer or a marriage certificate. Gather what you have when you apply so you can send it if asked.
I lost my job coverage while I wait on a disability decision. Can I get a marketplace plan?
You can. Losing job-based coverage is a qualifying life event, so you have 60 days to enroll. If you haven't applied for disability yet, our step-by-step guide to applying for SSDI and SSI is a good place to start.
Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
It's your turn
Health coverage is one program among several you might qualify for. Eligibility rules vary by program and by state, so it's worth checking what's available where you live. You can learn more on Turnout's site today.